The Roman Military Romans placed a great value on their military. All landowning citizens were required to serve in the military. Some political positions even required 10 years of military service. Roman soldiers were organized into large military units known as legions. Therefore, soldiers were known as legionaries.

Roman Legions The Roman legions were based off the infamous Greek phalanx. However, legions were smaller and therefore could maneuver much more quickly and easily. - Usually around 5,000 soldiers. Units would usually be broken down even further into groups of 60- 120 soldiers led by an officer.

Roman Soldiers Roman Centurion Roman Legionary Centurions were mid-ranking officers in charge of groups of 100 soldiers within their legions

Roman Expansion In the fourth century B.C., Rome began to expand. The Romans defeat the Etruscans in the north and the Greeks in the south. Within 150 years, it had captured almost all of Italy. Rome treated the conquered peoples justly. They even allowed some of the conquered peoples to enjoy the benefits of citizenship.

Roman Expansion

Roman Expansion

Rome vs. Carthage With full control of the Italian peninsula, Rome establishes a prosperous trade network throughout the Mediterranean Sea. This brings Rome into conflict with the Punics. The Punics were from Carthage, a powerful trading city located in North Africa (Tunisia). Rome Carthage

The Punic Wars From 264 to 146 B.C., Rome and Carthage fought three bitter wars. The conflict is better known as the Punic Wars and was fought over control of trade in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Punic Wars In the first war, Rome won control of the island of Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. The war lasts 23 years and Rome was able to defeat Carthage and gain control of the valuable islands.

The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars In the second war, a young general from Carthage named Hannibal marches on Rome. Hannibal wanted to avenge Carthage from its defeat years earlier. Instead of a head on attack, Hannibal marched his enormous army (which included 50,000 men, 9,000 cavalry and 60 war elephants) through Spain and France, over the Alps and into Italy.

The Punic Wars This is a daring move. Hannibal loses half his army and nearly all of his war elephants crossing the Alps. Despite this, Hannibal marches through Italy for nearly 10 years and scores many major victories. However, he is unable to capture Rome.

Hannibal Crossing the Alps

The Punic Wars Led by General Scipio, the Romans attack Carthage and Hannibal is forced to return to defend his native homeland. It is in Africa where Scipio and the Romans finally defeat Hannibal.

The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars Lastly, in the third and final Punic Wars, Rome once again attacks the hated rival Carthage. Rome burns the city to the ground and enslaves its 50,000 inhabitants. It was even said that the Romans covered the ground in salt so that the earth would not be able to produce any more crops. With Carthage finally destroyed, Rome gains dominance over the western Mediterranean

Rome Triumphs In another few decades, Rome would also conquer Greece, Macedonia, Spain, and parts of modern Turkey. Rome now controlled the Mediterranean Sea.

Rome Triumphs

Rome Triumphs

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